Employee Spotlight

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Patti Barney
VP, Information Technology

Work History: I started working at Broward College 35 years ago as a student intern in the data processing center at central campus. I was hired as a full-time programmer after completing my internship and obtaining my associates degree in computer science. I had a number of different titles as I progressed through my career in Information Technology and am currently the Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer.

What does diversity and inclusion mean to you? How do you promote it? Diversity and inclusion to me means respecting differences across social identities not individual people. Innovations resulting from science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields have positively touched nearly every aspect of human life, regardless of their race/ethnicity, gender, nationality, religious affiliation, sexual orientation or socioeconomic background. At Broward College, we are cultivating talent, and promoting the full inclusion of excellence across the social spectrum to prepare students for those high-demand and high-wage STEM careers.

Having lived my entire life in Broward County, I have witnessed many positive changes over the years as it relates to a more inclusive culture in all facets of education and government in our extremely diverse community. I truly value the opportunity to learn from our diverse population and providing opportunities to those underserved or under-represented in the technology field.

The IT team promotes diversity and inclusion at the college in many ways. Our hiring practices for full-time and part-time staff consistently requires a diverse pool of applicants with a focus on equity. We continue to reach out and solicit new potential diverse hires from staffing agencies, as well as provide opportunities to diverse students who are looking for internships. It’s not just about gender equity, it is about equal opportunity across the social continuum. In addition, the vendors we ultimately do business with are often selected because of their small, minority and women-owned business enterprise status in addition to meeting the criteria of technology and professional excellence we expect.

Our technology staff participate in many professional development opportunities that continue to expose them to new ideas and ways to help our students and staff with assistive and adaptive devices needed for accommodation with the technologies we deliver. Accessibility and usability of our online presence is very critical. A website and learning environment that works for everyone allows us to reach our customers more effectively and improve retention and success metrics across the social continuum.

Dream Partner for Lunch – Lionel Messi

Favorite Book – N/A

Last Book Read – The Wolf in CIO’s Clothing, Tina Nunno

Favorite TV Shows – Law and Order, HGTV and Disney Channel

Favorite Song – Don’t Blink – Kenny Chesney

Hobbies – All sports, boating, fishing and spending time with my family

Favorite Quote – Say what you mean, mean what you say, but don’t say anything mean.

Fantasy Career – Designing homes for the energy efficient future

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